The Army and State Police - have they left?

I haven't seen much of the Army or State Police in the last 3 or 4 days. (Live in Ajijic.) Saw one army truck the other day, but it was traveling the carretera and could have been on it's way to San Juan Cosala or Joco or beyond. Other than that, not much compared to how highly visible they were in the previous couple of weeks.

Anybody else notice a reduced presence, or is it my imagination?

I also have noticed a reduced presence. I have seen the State Police around, but 4 cars, not the 9 that were here before. I haven't seen the Army for about a week now.

I haven't seen them either.

On Friday, about 10:30am, i saw a large Army troop transport truck on the main street of Joco, headed east. The truck was easily large enough to carry 50, but there were only about 10 soldiers in it, although they were all standing and carrying weapons and looking quite vigilant.

Today [Saturday], driving to and from Joco to Ixtlahuacan, i saw a few local police trucks, but no Army or federal or state police vehicles.

Looks like they pulled out. One thing I learned during the recent "occupation" is just how much the local Mexican people hate and despise and resent and mistrust and fear the authorities. Even my sweet little old church-going Mexican landlady told me, in hushed Spanish, "Hay muchos policias en el pueblo ... cuidarte."

Our mexican cleaning lady ( I hate the term Maid!) and gardener and mexican friends all tell us that the authorities are not to be trusted. We had copied all the CSI Chapala Newsletters and gave them to our mexican friends - they seemed less than interested.................
Gotta wonder.

Not much to wonder about. . . sadly.

The law enforcement entity that I consistently hear good things about are the Marines.

Last night I was at the gate letting the dog out when 4 motorcycle riders passed by my house, riding in formation 2 by 2. All dressed identically and in black, helmets even, didn't see guns but it was dark they probably had hand guns. Didn't see patches or badges either.

The first 2 passed and turned the corner without a glance in my direction, the second passed and looked at me and smiled, and the third passed looked at me and said 'Thank you'.

One of the things that makes living here so interesting is one never knows who the players are. . .

Who is scarier the army and police or the cartels. I'll take the army and police!

simpsca wrote:Who is scarier the army and police or the cartels. I'll take the army and police!

Yep, me too!

Mexican Marines ....Siemper Fi ! ....L/cpl Gravy

simpsca wrote:Who is scarier the army and police or the cartels. I'll take the army and police!

Agree!

Wish we could edit our posts, it was the third and fourth moto cops (?) that acknowledged my presence last night.

I dunno. . .not much of a choice, but I think I'd rather be hacked to death for something I didn't do than spend the rest of my life in Puente Grande for something I didn't do.

gravy wrote:Mexican Marines ....Siemper Fi ! ....L/cpl Gravy

Sent you a PM. --Alex